The King and I - Dallas Review

You will think it strange, but I felt a kindred spirit with Ms. Hayley Mills when I learned that Ms. Mills drinks tea and prefers it with milk. She has, however, given up the milk while on tour with The King and I. See, I told you it sounds strange. However, I'm a hot tea drinker in Dallas, Texas, and not only do the people here NOT put milk in their tea, they don't drink it hot. So I'm always thrilled when I find someone who enjoys it the same as I. There's nothing so wonderful as being able to enjoy an afternoon tea with a friend.

Now about the King, or more to the point, Anna, played by Hayley Mills in the Dallas presentation of The King and I. Ms. Mills sparkled on the Dallas stage. She was warm and charming. She was a perfect Victorian school-marm. She looked the part, she acted the part, she had a presence that filled the auditorium. But there was one problem. She can't sing. By her own admission she can't sing. Yes, she has taken many years of voice lessons. But to be honest, there were at least two times when I actually grimaced at the "tone??" I was hearing. I have heard it said that she can't sing because she lacks confidence, rhythmically. I would say she lacks confidence because she can't sing. I appreciate, however, the fact that she is aware of and readily admits her lack of vocal ability. Similar to Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady, Ms. Mills talks through several of her songs. This put her more at ease and it still sounded fine.

Vee Talmadge played a good King but lacked some of the forcefulness that adds colour and sparks between the King and the governess. However, he has a wonderful voice and he brought a younger persona to the king than we have been accustomed to in past performances. The very talented Mr. Talmadge is also a playwriter. He received the Nakashima Peace Award for his critically-acclaimed two-man play The Gate of Heaven, which he co-authored and starred in with Lane Nishikawa.

Walking away the vocal winner in this production was Lady Thiang, played by Helen Yu. Ms. Yu is in her debut season at the Metropolitan Opera Company with Wagner's Das Rheingold and Gotterdammerung. She performed in a most pure, seraphic voice to this Dallas audience.

Overall, The King and I was a very colourful, vibrant and pleasant production.